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Preserve It Reader In Remembrance Of Me
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Preserve It Reader In Remembrance of Me:
The Writings and Saga of American Civil War Soldier George W. Belles
A Collaboration of Brothers in Arms Soldiers
Cpl. George W. Belles – Civil War, 1862-65
Sgt. Ron Bardnell – Viet Nam, 1967-68
A Merriam Press Original Publication
Military Monograph MM48
“Remember me in your prayers and I will remember you. I will not try to describe the senses of war for they are past (beyond) description.” – George W. Belles, to his sister.
The foundation of this enthralling, insightful saga is a three year collection of letters, diaries and memoirs written by American Civil War soldier George W. Belles. The foresighted soldier, cognizant the course of U.S. history was being radically altered before his eyes and realizing the historical significance of the events he partook in, recorded all phases of his Civil War experience with great passion and colorful detail.
Upon reading Corporal Belles’ writings, the author, Ron Bardnell, an infantryman in Vietnam, intuitively formed a “brothers-in-arms” bond with his brethren of years long passed. Honoring the Civil War soldier’s fervent plea his writings be preserved, a fateful, unique collaboration occurred, and Preserve It Reader in Remembrance of Me came to be.
Arranged in chronological order and grouped into chapters by a prevailing theme, Corporal Belles’ writings take the reader along with this exceptional man on his extraordinary thirty-three month American Civil War soldier's journey, from Antietam to Appomattox.
Prologue [from the book]
For years a collection of American Civil War letters and diaries passed on to my wife, Kathi, sat in a box neatly packed in a closet corner. As a young father and husband I’d found the writings interesting but raising children and making ends meet were priorities then and the collection was promptly relegated to near obscurity in its hidden home. Time flew by. The kids became adults and went their way, but remained close.
It was during the empty-nester stage of our lives that the secluded box resurfaced. Once again, I began reading the three year collection of letters and diaries by American Civil War Union soldier George W. Belles, Kathi’s great-great-grandfather. Perhaps due to wisdom gained over the years or to the development of a greater appreciation of things in general, this time around the buried cardboard box was a virtual treasure chest. I immersed myself in passionate and detailed narratives of both on and off the battlefield experiences, excruciating physical hardships endured, and an occasional wondrous high and numerous agonizing lows.
These writings, these gifts from the past, were easy to relate to. I also fought in a war, as an infantryman in Vietnam. Our wars were a century apart and very different, yet in ways the same—for there are aspects of war which are shared by combat soldiers of all generations and all military conflicts.
Progressing through the writings, it became apparent that the author saw the larger picture. Belles realized the historical significance of the times and of the events he participated in; that the course of U.S. history was being radically altered before his eyes. As I read further, it became apparent George was dreadfully aware his chances for survival dwindled with time. I sensed the soldier’s written words were intended for a much broader audience than the person named in the salutation of his correspondence.
My original intention was to read and enjoy the letters and diaries, take the appropriate measures to preserve and protect them, thus doing my part to ensure the historically significant and insightful writings would become a family heirloom. They would be passed on to our grown kids and eventually become property of the grandkids. When I read the emotive last entry in the 1864 diary, the scope of my new project increased significantly.
Following is the last entry, from the 1864 Civil War diary of George W. Belles:
In which is the proceedings of the year 1864 in the union army of the Apotome under General Mead and Sheredin under whose command some desperate Battles was fought and manny of my comrades fell in them, never to rise.
This book I want preserved while I remain and when I am gone I want it handed down to others who still survive as a memoranda of what I have seen and experienced my self. It relates the circumstances of each day the weather and other proceedings.
This book I trust shall live when I with my companions in the army have passed away. I want its pages kept secure for generations to come for their benefit and good of all. Who may chance to read it preserve it reader in remembrance of me.
This entry, this plea, struck a special chord deep within me. It confirmed George indeed realized his chances for survival were unfavorable and it expressed his deep desire to share his personal experiences during this historical and most challenging of times; that his written words be made available for generations to come. The material was at hand. The decision was easy. I would honor this fellow combat soldier’s most worthy request. George Belles’ writings would be made available to all who wish to read them.
Compiling these writings and “telling” this insightful fighting man’s emotional, compelling, Civil War saga was a labor of love and surprisingly, somewhat therapeutic. Most combat veterans, myself included, harbor untold war stories, choosing to bury them deep within. The risk of opening the vault to such powerful memories, only to be “blown off” by the listener or overcome with emotion, is too great. Somehow, from telling this Civil War soldier’s story, which mine pales in comparison to, I gained some closure of my own. Thank you, George.
With minimal editing, arranged in chronological order and grouped into chapters by a prevailing theme, George’s writings take the reader along with this exceptional man on his extraordinary thirty-three month American Civil War journey. The last sentence in Belles’ 1864 diary entry became the title of this book: Preserve it Reader in Remembrance of Me.
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Contents
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Dedication
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Acknowledgments
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Roster, Co. E, 139th Pennsylvania Volunteers
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Prologue
- Part I: 1862
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One: Transition
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Two: Fredericksburg – The Union’s Rush to Defeat
- Part II: 1863
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Three: Time-out at the River – Human Nature Prevails
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Four: Early Spring 1863 – The Lull Before the Storm
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Five: Into the Frying Pan at Marye’s Heights and Salem Church
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Six: Gettysburg – Victory Was the Only Option
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Seven: Sparring Sessions in Northern Virginia
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Eight: What Keeps a Soldier Going
- Part III: 1864
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Nine: Coats Without Owners
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Ten: Change of Pace at Harpers Ferry
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Eleven: You Had a Brother Who Was a Soldier
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Twelve: Petersburg and the Unappreciative Washingtonians
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Thirteen: Autumn in the Shenandoah Valley
- Part IV: 1865
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Fourteen: Tall “Squeezens”
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Fifteen: The Journey Home
- Glossary
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Bibliography
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The Author
Specifications
About the Author
Mustered out of the U.S. Army in 1968, Ron Bardnell received his secondary education at the University of Akron and enjoyed a lengthy, successful career as a Sr. Computer Programmer / Analyst. An avid short stories writer, after retirement Ron devoted himself to writing full-time. Upon reading a three year collection of American Civil War soldier letters, intrigued by the aspects of war shared by the letters’ author and himself in Vietnam, and honoring the past era fellow combat soldier’s request, Preserve It Reader in Remembrance of Me was written. Ron lives in Florida with his wife Kathi. If you would like to learn more about Ron, his work, or future events, please visit his website.
Booksellers: This book will be available soon through Ingram.
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